Genetic diversity and prevalence of Bartonella species in small rodents and their ectoparasites in Lithuania
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LT | ||
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Balčiauskas, Linas | Gamtos tyrimų centras | LT |
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2018 |
The bacteria of the genus Bartonella are obligate parasites associated with mammals and transmitted by arthropods vector. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in small mammals and their ectoparasites from Lithuania. A total of 430 small mammals representing nine species were captured with live-traps and 151 fleas representing eight species were collected from rodents during 2013-2014. Multilocus sequences analyse of partial gltA, rpoB, groEL genes and ITS region were used for Bartonella spp. identification. Bartonella DNA was detected in 23.7% of small rodents: in 33.2% of Apodemus flavicollis, 23.7% of Micromys minutus, 15.5% of Myodes glareolus, 12.5% of Microtus oeconomus, and in one specimens of M. arvalis. Bartonella was detected in Megabothris walkeri, M. turbidus, Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Ct. uncinatus and Hystrichopsylla talpae fleas with overall prevalence 29.1%. Sequence analysis of Bartonella DNA from positive samples indicated the presence of Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella taylorii and Bartonella sp. belonging to the Bartonella rochalimae group. B. grahamii genotypes were detected in five small rodent species and three flea species, while B. taylorii genotypes in two rodent species and five flea species. Bartonella genotype belonging to the B. rochalimae group was detected in M. glareolus and M. turbidus fleas.
This research is funded by the European Social Fund under the No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-03-0027 "Development of Competences of Scientists, other Researchers and Students through Practical Research Activities" measure